Posted on Jan 25, 2015
Wearing a ring on the left hand; allowed by AR 670-1 but not by an NCO. How would you handle it?
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I wear a ring on the pointer finger of my left hand. It's sterling silver and isn't even as big as a class ring. However, a SSG from my unit is constantly telling me to take it off because it is not a wedding ring. I tell him AR 670-1 states in section Jewlery that a soldier my wear a total of 2 rings; 1 on each hand, and a wedding band set is considered 1. It also states that rings must be conservative in taste and not extreme. Nowhere in the Regs does it say a soldier can only wear wedding rings. My ring meets all requirements but he still yells everytime he sees it. How can I educate him more or resolve the situation without taking off my ring and without getting chewed out?
Posted in these groups: 
Conservative
DA Pam 670-1
Conservative DA Pam 670-1
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 61
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Recommendations:
- Confirm / deny with a senior NCO that your reading of AR 670-1 is correct.
- I would also recommend that you check your local unit SOP. Some MOSs and/or branches such as Armor that work around heavy vehicles, machinery, or equipment may have something as part of a safety issue not as part of an Army Regulation uniform issue. Easy to tear skin off a finger or a finger off if a ring gets caught and your body weight pulls you down.
- After above (if confirmed), ask the SSG to show you in AR 670-1 or unit SOP where it states that you are out of compliance. I would tell him that you are not questioning his authority but that you are trying to educate yourself and the best place to get educated is out of the source documents themselves.
- If above does not work and you feel strongly about it, I recommend seeing your PSG then 1SG if need be.
- Good luck.
- Confirm / deny with a senior NCO that your reading of AR 670-1 is correct.
- I would also recommend that you check your local unit SOP. Some MOSs and/or branches such as Armor that work around heavy vehicles, machinery, or equipment may have something as part of a safety issue not as part of an Army Regulation uniform issue. Easy to tear skin off a finger or a finger off if a ring gets caught and your body weight pulls you down.
- After above (if confirmed), ask the SSG to show you in AR 670-1 or unit SOP where it states that you are out of compliance. I would tell him that you are not questioning his authority but that you are trying to educate yourself and the best place to get educated is out of the source documents themselves.
- If above does not work and you feel strongly about it, I recommend seeing your PSG then 1SG if need be.
- Good luck.
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SSG (Join to see)
Having seen the image of the ring, take it off and soldier on, also jewelry should not be worn when working on around or in heavy equipment.
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SSgt Jay Dee
Although, some good points were brought up about safety and food codes, etc... I would have to guess that this isn't an issue regarding those situations. The reason I say that is because the individual is being told that he can "only wear a wedding band". I know where I work, jewelry is prohibited, but it's ALL jewelry. You can't talk safety and food code but let an individual wear a wedding band. It's a double standard. But nonetheless, spot on remarks. But to help guide here, I simply would go with what the colonel said; ask the person if he could please show you because you "tried to find it but couldn't". If you tell him you found it and he's wrong, he may take it personal and that isn't necessary. By telling him you couldn't find it, and he feels he's correct, at first he'll feel superior by knowing where to find the answer and ultimately realize he's wrong and be forced to correct himself. Chances are, he doesn't know what he is talking about. Most of the time individuals make corrections, it's because "that's the way I was taught". People don't like to be wrong (young and old), so, they tent to pull rank instead of actually doing the research. You did the right thing by looking it up. What I would do is take it off, ask him to help you find it, let him see he is wrong, ask to wear your ring. But first, ask yourself if it's really even worth it? Does this ring have meaning? Cause even though you may win this time, now he's going to be on you like a hawk. It's the nature of being an alpha male. You caught me slippin, now I'm going to catch you and be all over it. If that makes sense.
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SPC Louis Kennedy
When I was in I did have Soldiers/NCO wear rings that were not Wedding Bands on their hands. I will just will agree with COL Smallfield, Have your NCO help you fully understand the Army Reg also any and all Unit SOPs on dress. As a side note I have seen that some units allow certain rings types but not others...so if it looks flashy then it was a no-go but if per say it was a class ring style then it was okay.
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SPC Cody Voye, Just follow the reg! And when your ring gets hung up on something and you lose your finger - cite the reg to the medics! The military is a hazardous profession, respect it!
You might even save a dated copy of the regulation, all of the reports you can get from the medics and photos for the VA.
You might even save a dated copy of the regulation, all of the reports you can get from the medics and photos for the VA.
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CSM Charles Hayden
MAJ (Join to see) - Captain, you explored other posts from SP Cody Voye? I am pleased someone else ID'd him.
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SPC David Willis
MAJ (Join to see) - Didn't realize following regulations and expecting NCOs to be knowledgeable of the regs made you a barracks lawyer...
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It is not a battle worth fighting. It's jewelry. The ring, in my opinion, is in a grey area. "Conservative" is in the eye of the beholder. In your case, it is in the eye of a superior. Take it off. Having to be constantly told to take it off can be construed as a lack of respect; which is far more offensive than the ring itself.
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CW3 (Join to see)
If there is an Army Regulation or a local SOP forbidding him to wear the ring, then the NCO has a duty to correct him. What we must not do is confuse this NCO's personal preference with an actual requirement (as all too many NCOs do). This is what leads to young soldiers believing they are required to spend their paychecks on stetson hats, spurs, belt buckles, etc... rather than paying rent or feeding their kids. It is absolutely a battle worth fighting.
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TSgt (Join to see)
This is wrong. If the wrong is within standards and wearing it is within regs, then you are allowed to wear it. for all you know the NCO is just trying to show that he is some kind of hotshot and flexing his "muscle". So, no; this person is well within their rights by reg to continuing to wear it.
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SFC Don Ward
MSG (Join to see) - What a load, and you are a MSG? Since when do NCO's give "lawful orders" to anyone. You may give directions, and you may pass on orders, but you have no authority to give any "orders".
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SFC (Join to see)
SFC Don Ward - Yes you do. ADRP 6-22, Para. 1-21. Formal leadership is granted to individuals by virtue of assignment to positions of responsibility and is a function of rank and experience. The Uniform Code of Military Justice supports military leaders in positions of legitimate authority. Formal leader impose their authority over subordinates through lawful orders and directives.
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